Electroluminescent panel device



Sept. 26, 1967 e. D. BROWN ELECTROLUMINESCENT PANEL DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1965 INVENTOR.

GEORGE 0. BROWN BY [7 ATTORNEYS Sept. 26, 1967 G. D. BRQWN 3,344,269

ELECTROLUMINESCENT PANEL DEVICE Filed April 5, 1965 3 $heets$heet INVENTOR.

- GEORGE D. BROWN ATTORNEYS Sept. 26, 1967 G. D. BROWN 3,344,269

ELECTROLUMINESCENT PANEL DEVICE Filed April 5, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR.

GEORGE D. BROWN 4! BY Mil ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,344,269 Patented Sept. 26, 1967 3,344,269 ELECTROLUMMESCEN T PANEL DEVICE George D. Brown, 7001 W. Bancroft St, Toledo, Ohio 43617 Filed Apr. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 445,446 2 Claims. (Cl. 240108) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electroluminescent panel device for lamps in which a base or shade of transluscent non-metallic plastic material has a cavity or a plurality of pockets for slide panels, in electrical contact therewith, and electric circuit means including switch means to establish illumination thereof.

An object is to produce a unique assembly of a translucent sheath or pocket which may have practical significance in several ways and an electroluminescent panel or slide to be housed or contained Within the pocket for illuminating the same and particularly the surface thereof.

Another object is to produce a new and improved table lamp, the base of which is of translucent material within which an electroluminescent slide or panel may be mounted for achieving illumination thereof, control means being provided for the intensity of illumination.

A further object is to produce a novel drawing board of translucent material which is illuminated by an electroluminescent panel inserted into the body of the board.

A still further object is to produce a new and improved lamp shade having one or more electroluminescent panels which may be usefully applied or removed at will for creating illumination of the shade.

A still further object is to provide an electroluminescent slide panel and translucent holder or support for same having wide utility when illumination is required and in which the source of illumination is concealed.

For purposes of illustration but not of limitation embodiments of the invention are shown on the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a table lamp, the pedestal and shade thereof being shown in fragment;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the lamp base, the upright pedestal and tube being shown in transverse section;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the electroluminescent slide panel, portions being broken away to show the various plies;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective View of one of the electrical connectors or clips carried by the lamp base to be electrically contacted by the slide panel;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a drawing board, showing the electroluminescent slide panel partially inserted into its recess or socket;

FIGURE 7 is a front edge elevation of the drawing board with the slide panel removed and the set scale and linkage likewise removed;

FIGURE 8 is a top perspective view of a lamp shade equipped with electroluminescent slide panels, one of which is partially inserted into its recess or socket; and

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the lamp shade shown in FIGURE 8 with the electroluminescent slide panels removed.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention shown on FIGURES 1 to 5 of the drawings comprises a table lamp having a base consisting of a rectangular block 10 of glass or other transparent non-metallic plastic, such, for example, as Plexiglass or the like. Suitably mounted centrally substantially of the top surface of the block 10 is an upright tubular pedestal 11, on which is suitably supported a lamp shade 12. Formed in the block 10 about midway of its depth dimension is a relatively narrow cavity or socket 13, which is of substantial width, closed at its rear end and open at the front of the block 10. At the rear end of the socket or cavity 13 and at one side thereof is a pair of spaced contact elements 14 and 14a. Each of these contact elements consists, as shown on FIGURE 5, of a U-shaped clip having a pair of spring arms a and connected to the clip is a screw-threaded binding post I). The open ends of the spring arms a face outwardly for engagement by an electroluminescent slide panel, as will hereinafter be described.

Extending from the contact element 14a is a lead 0, which extends to a switch-potentiometer 15, the operating knob of which is accessible on the upper face of the block 10 as shown on FIGURE 1. From the switch-potentiometer 15 extends a lead d, which extends to a source of current. The other lead from the source of current is indicated at e and from this lead extends a branch lead f to the other contact element 14. The lead e continues to a lamp switch 16, the operating knob for which is accessible on the top of the block 10 on the opposite side of the pedestal 11. Also connected to the lamp switch 16 is a lead g, which also extends to a source of current. It will be observed that the lead g also extends to an upright tube 17 disposed within the pedestal for supplying current to a lamp (not shown) arranged within the shade 12. A lead It also extends to the lamp through the tube 17 and joins the current lead d. The leads 2 and d extend to the outside of the block 10 to form the insulated lead 1', which has at its free end a terminal plug 1'.

The lower end of the lamp tube extends through a hole in the base block 10 and has a threaded end disposed within a countersunk recess 19, a nut 18 on the end of the tube 17 holds it in place.

A relatively flat slide panel of multiply electroluminescent structure 20 is adapted to slide in and out of the socket or cavity 13 and is of such dimensions as substantially to fill the cavity 13 and still afiord freedom for to and fro sliding movements. The multiply panel comprises an inner ply 21, which may be of translucent plastic electrically insulating material, such as an oriented polyester film known as Mylar, sold by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. On the outer side of the ply 21 is a ply of sheet material 22, consisting of aluminum foil or other electrically conductive material serving both as a conductor and a light reflector. At the inner end of the panel the aluminum foil ply 22 has a short extension 22a, which, when the panel is fully inserted, engages the contact clip 14a. On the outer side of the ply 22 is a ply 23 in the form of a sheet dielectric and above that ply is a coating 24 of phosphor particles, which may constitute a combination of any of the well known electroluminescent phosphors, such for example as zinc sulphide with a suitable activator, such as copper powder held in an appropriate vehicle, such as epoxy resin. Other phosphors, activators and vehicles can be used to effect different degrees of brightness, lamp life and the color. The coating or ply 25 has an extension 25a adjacent the extension 22a, the extension 25a being for the purpose of engaging the contact clip 14 when the slide 20 is shoved fully into its recess or cavity. On the outer side of the ply 25 is a ply 26 of translucent electrically insulating plastic material, such as Mylar as above described. Finally, on the outer side of the ply 26 is a relatively heavy protective transparent plastic ply, which is translucent, the same being of any well known plastic material for this purpose.

From the above description it will be understood that when the panel 20 has been slid fully into its recess or cavity 13 with the extensions 22a and 25a engaging their respective contact clips 14a and 14, by manipulation of the potentiometers-switch 15 current can be introduced to the panel for effecting illumination thereof. When the switch is in the on position, a pulsing electrical field is set up to cause the phosphor material to glow and cause the illumination. By adjusting the potentiometer the degree of illumination may be controlled. It will be manifest that practically the entire base will be illuminated and produce a light of a controlled intensity. If not desired, the switch may be turned off so that the lamp would be operated and lighted in the usual manner by manipulation of the switch 16.

In the embodiment of the invention shown on FIG- URES 6 and 7 a drawing board is shown consisting of a rectangular block 10a, which may be of glass or other suitable transparent or translucent non-metallic plastic. The block 10a is also provided with a slide-receiving cavity or recess 13a to receive an electroluminescent slide panel a. There are electrical circuits similar to that above described and including contact members on the block as well as on the inner end of the slide, so that when the slide is moved into the recess 13a the respective contacts will be brought into engagement. As shown on the under side of the block 10a is a switch-potentiometer 15a having an insulated lead it: provided with a plug terminal ja. Manifestly, when the switch 15a is turned on, the surface of the drawing board block 10a will be nicely illuminated by means of the electroluminescent panel 20a, to enable the draftsman to perform his duties utilizing the set square 28, which is shown as connected by suitable linkage 29 to a bracket fixed to the block 10a.

A further embodiment of the invention shown on FIG- URES 8 and 9 consists of a lamp shade having a cylindrical supporting rim 31, which is U-shaped cross section, and in which is mounted and suitably secured an outer transparent or translucent non-metallic plastic cylindrical shell 32 and spaced from the outer shell 32 and also mounted in the supporting rim 31 is an inner shell 33, which may be of similar material. To afford stability to the structure there is a plurality of steel frame uprights 34, to which radially disposed wires 35 are secured at the outer ends. At the inner ends of the wires 35 is a center ring 36, which is supported on the lamp in a well known manner. Formed intermediate the inner and outer shells 32 and 33 are three curvilinear recesses or cavities to receive similarly curved electroluminescent slide panels 37, which are similar to the slide panels above described and are equipped with contact elements engaging contact clips carried by the supporting rim 31. It will be apparent that for each slide panel there is a pair of contact clips, and Wires extending to these clips may be embedded in plastic in the supporting rim 31. The leads extend from the rim 31 into an insulated wire 40, having a terminal plug 41. A switch-potentiometer 39 is carried by a suitable bracket depending from the supporting rim 31 for controlling the illumination of the various slide panels 37.

It will be understood that a shade of the above structure can be used in the usual manner on a supporting frame. In case it is desired not to employ the electroluminescent slide panels 37, they may be removed and then the lamp shade will operate in the usual manner.

Numerous changes in details of construction, operation and choice of materials may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a unitary, horizontal block of transluscent non-metallic plastic material cored between its faces to provide a narrow slide panel receiving pocket and providing a base for a table lamp, a multiply electroluminescent slide panel in said pocket, and electric circuit means in said block cooperating with and in electrical contact with said slide panel for illuminating the latter and including switch means, said electric circuit means additionally including a lamp energizing circuit and a switch for same.

2. A device of the character described com-prising means of translucent non-metallic plastic material in the form af a pair of laterally spaced cylindrical shelves, there being a plurality of pockets between said shelves, multiply electroluminescent slide panels in said pockets respectively, said panels being curved to conform to the curvature of said pockets, and electric circuit means cooperating with and in electrical contact with said slide panels and being common to the several panels to establish concomitant illumination thereof and including switch means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,000,985 5/1935 Quinlan et al 240108 X 2,908,806 10/1959 Cohen 240-225 X 2,974,435 3/ 1961 Eschenroeder 240108 X 3,166,687 1/ 1965 Veres. 3,188,761 6/1965 Harrold. 3,212,080 10/1965 Gurian et al. 3,253,173 5/1966 Levetan.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES C. LOGAN II, JOSEPH F. PETERS, JR.,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING MEANS OF TRANSLUCENT NON-METALLIC PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE FORM OF A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED CYLINDRICAL SHELVES, THERE BEING A PLURALITY OF POCKETS BETWEEN SAID SHELVES, MULTIPLY ELECTROLUMINESCENT SLIDE PANELS IN SAID SOCKETS RESPECTIVELY, SAID PANELS BEING CURVED TO CONFORM TO THE CURVATURE OF SAID POCKETS, AND ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS COOPERATING WITH AND IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH SAID SLIDE PANELS AND BEING COMMON TO THE SEVERAL PANELS TO ESTABLISH CONCOMITANT ILLUMINATION THEREOF AND INCLUDING MEANS. 